THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 275 



plants adapted for the embellishment of the dinner-table is the well- 

 known Anthurium Scherzerianum. It is certainly the most useful 

 of its class, on account of the brilliancy of its vermilion red spathes, 

 and also for the length of time they remain in good condition. It 

 succeeds well in a compost consisting of equal parts fibrous peat 

 and sphagnum moss, to which may be added a liberal proportion of 

 broken crocks, charcoal, and silver-sand. The pots in which the 

 plants are put should be perfectly clean and well drained, and in 

 potting it is desirable to place on the top of the crocks a layer of 

 the roughest of the compost, sufficiently thick to bring the ball of 

 the plant level with the rim of the pot. When this is done spread 

 out the roots of the plant carefully, and then pack the remaining 

 compost about them. Tbe soil should be built up in a convex form, 

 so as to elevate the base of the plant about three inches above the 

 rim of the pot. Covering the surface with growing sphagnum, 

 gives the whole a fresh and pleasing appearance, and materially 

 assists in retaining a certain degree of moisture about the foliage. 



Etjcharis. — The lovely JE. Amazonica, when well grown and 

 flowered, is very effective. A stove temperature is required through- 

 out the winter, but during the summer months the temperature of a 

 close greenhouse will be sufficient. To over-estimate its value is diffi- 

 cult, for it may be had in flower three or four times throughout the 

 year. The most desirable way of growing specimens for the table is to 

 place three bulbs in a six-inch pot, and keep them in a shady part 

 of the house until rooted into the soil. When well established, 

 lessen the supply of water, and expose them to the light, but it is 

 not necessary during the season of rest to withhold water altogether. 

 At the same time, it will, perhaps, be well to say that only enough is 

 required to keep the foliage from flagging. In about four or five weeks 

 increase the supply of water, and the flower-spikes will soon make 

 their appearance, and, by judiciously acting upon the advice here 

 given, a constant supply of flower may be secured throughout the 

 whole season. Frequent shifts are not necessary, but when in 

 active growth a little weak manure-water may be advantageously 

 given. Use a compost of two-thirds silky loam, and^one-third well- 

 decayed cow-manure, with a moderate addition of silver-sand, and 

 let the pots be well drained. 



Thyrsacanthus. — The graceful growing T. rutilans is charming 

 as a table plant when grown properly. Young plants in five-inch 

 pots are preferable, and cuttings struck in the early part of the 

 spring, and grown on vigorously, will make beautiful little specimens 

 by the autumn. The terminal point should be pinched out of the 

 main shoot when only a few inches high, to induce them to break 

 and form bushy specimens. It is also important to keep the plants 

 near the glass to prevent their becoming drawn up weakly. The 

 most suitable compost is prepared by well incorporating together 

 one-third each of good turfy loam, fibry peat, and leaf-mould, and 

 then adding a liberal proportion of silver sand. 



Gesnera. — Zebrina, Refulgens, and Exoniensis are the best 

 varieties for the dinner-table, as the foliage is very beautiful, as well 

 as the flowers being showy and attractive. The successful culture 



